YORK Talks

An education in the arts teaches students to perceive and think in new ways. At The York School, creativity, reasoning, imagination, intuition and art-specific skills are all developed as students learn to build bridges between verbal and nonverbal communication, and logic and emotion. In this episode, Natasha Estey speaks with Music Teacher Cody MacFarlane, Visual Arts Teacher Daniel Neville, Drama Teacher Mary Wood, and Film Teacher Otino Corsano, about why the arts are so important in an IB education.You can see the arts at The York School in action on Twitter by following the hashtag #YorkLearns. Here are links to some videos of the arts in action at The York School: Harmony ConcertVocal Music (Cool Moon)Concert Band (Crocodile Rock)Senior School TheatreSenior School TheatreArt BattleIBDP FilmIB Film Promo VideoYORK Connect YouTube Channel Written and Produced by Natasha EsteyAudio Editing by Andrew Scott

Nǐ hǎo! Hola! Bonjour! What are the benefits of learning a second or third language? Why is this a key component of the IB experience? IB French teacher Andrew Torres, IB Spanish teacher Emily Cunningham, and IB Mandarin teacher Connie Zhao, help host Natasha Estey unpack how learning another language can help students increase their understanding of several cultures, including their own, and explore globally significant ideas and issues through different languages.Learn about the philosophy of language acquisition as part of an IB education by visiting the International Baccalaureate website. Follow the hashtag #YorkLearns on Twitter to see additional language learning in action.Written & Produced by Natasha EsteyAudio Editing by Andrew Scott

Design class is part of the Middle Years Programme at The York School. Join host, Natasha Estey, in conversation with MYP Design teacher, Tim Cooper, about how this class challenges students to apply practical and creative thinking skills to solve design problems using the Design Cycle.You can find Tim Cooper on Twitter. Follow the hashtag #Yorklearns to see MYP Design in action at The York School. Learn more about Grade 6 Design, Grade 7 Design, and Grade 8 Design. Learn more about all the cool things students can do with micro:bits. Learn about what's special about Minecraft: Education Edition. Finally, watch the trailer for the award-winning documentary, Coded Bias. Written & Produced by Natasha EsteyAudio Editing by Andrew Scott

The bridge years between primary school and secondary school are a pivotal time for young adolescents, whose bodies and minds are developing more rapidly than at any stage other than the first two years of life. Middle School can be tumultuous but it can also be a lot of fun! It’s a time when students really start to frame their future in terms of identity and interests.Join host, Natasha Estey, in conversation with teachers that bookend the Middle School experience - Grade 6 homeroom teacher, Teresa MacDonald, and Grade 8 homeroom teacher, Shelley Gopal - about how they bring joy into learning along with problem-solving and real-life applications, focus on how students learn as well as what they learn, and help students understand their positionality in the world.Follow the hashtag #Yorklearns on Twitter to see more of the Middle School in action. You can find Shelley Gopal on Twitter @shelleygopal and Teresa MacDonald @mstmacdonald.Books in Shelley Gopal's Grade 8 Book Club include:Pet by Akwaeke Emezi Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson All American Boys by Jason Reynolds & Brendan Kiely  The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin  You can read more about the Harkness Method here.  Written & Produced by Natasha EsteyAudio Editing by Andrew Scott

The York School’s Indigenous Education Committee is a response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action # 62 through 65 that have to do with Education for Reconciliation. In this special Bonus episode, host Natasha Estey speaks with Indigenous Education Comittee leaders, Sean Rand and Sara Akbari, about what they are doing to advance Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion work at The York School and to integrate indigenous education.Follow the hashtag #Yorklearns on Twitter to see this work in action. You can find Sara Akbari on Instagram @mssara.416.You can find the book Seven Fallen Feathers at your local independent bookstore. Learn more about the work of Indigenous Education Consultant, Pamela Rose Toulouse.  The York School has partnered with Equity Connections for its DEI work. Look at The York School's Interim Strategic Plan. Written and Produced by Natasha EsteyAudio Editing by Andrew Scott

Academic success is intrinsically linked to social and emotional wellness. Wellbeing is a priority at The York School. Our teachers are committed to providing our students with a safe space to acquire the life skills they will need to manage in today’s fast-paced and turbulent world and help them nurture meaningful relationships with others.In this episode, join host Natasha Estey in conversation with Junior School Counsellor, Amy Faba, about social and emotional learning (or SEL), the RULER approach, mindfulness, and how parents can see themselves as emotional scientists rather than emotional judges.You can learn more about wellbeing at the Junior School by visiting our website. Information about the RULER approach for parents can be found in this past issue of The Flash. Visit the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence to learn more about RULER and tools like the Mood Meter and creating a Charter. You can reach Amy Faba at afaba@yorkschool.com. Follow the hashtag #Yorklearns on Twitter to see the RULER approach and social-emotional skills education in action.Written and Produced by Natasha EsteyAudio Editing by Andrew Scott

The junior years of elementary school - Grades 3 to 5 - are about continuing to build a strong foundation and consolidating some of the skills - both academic and life - students will need as they look ahead to Middle School.Grade 5 teacher, Barb Prevedello, and Grade 4 teacher, Suzanne Newell, talked about how they engage their students through problem-solving and shared ways that they ensure their students are able to learn in the best way for them and can be advocates for their own learning. Learn more about the work of Jo Boaler and the work of Carol Dweck. Learn more about the “power of YET” concept. You can learn more about academics at the Junior School by visiting our website. You can find Suzanne on Twitter @SuzNewellTeach and Barb @BarbPrevedello. Follow the hashtag #Yorklearns to see education in action.Written and Produced by Natasha EsteyAudio Editing by Andrew Scott

The beginning of a child’s educational journey is about the joy of discovery, nurturing their innate curiosity, and inspiring them to learn more about themselves and the world around them in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment. Join host, Natasha Estey, in conversation with SK teacher, Melissa Hickey, and PYP Coordinator/Director of Curriculum, Kristy Purcell, about their passion for early years education.Follow Melissa Hickey on Twitter @hickeymmelissa. If you search the hashtag #Yorklearns, you will be able to see a lot of the amazing things happening in our classrooms. You can learn more about academics and wellness at the Junior School by visiting our website. Written & Produced by Natasha EsteyAudio Editing by Andrew Scott

The York School is a progressive school for a modern world and its teachers are world-class educators. Join host, Natasha Estey, in conversation with Associate Head, Academics, Justin Medved, about what 21-century teaching and learning look like at York, what makes our teachers great, and the future of K - 12 education.You can follow Cohort 21 on Twitter or search the hashtag #Cohort21. Follow Justin on Twitter. You can learn more about academics and wellness at York by visiting our website. Visit YORK Talks online and subscribe to YORK Talks where you get your podcasts. Written and Produced by Natasha EsteySound Editing by Andrew Scott

Modelled after the highly popular YORK Talks in-person series, the YORK Talks podcast provides insights and content in a more intimate, digestible, and accessible format. Listen where and when you want!YORK Talks is a podcast for families wanting to learn more about The York School, Toronto's leading co-ed independent school delivering the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. Established more than 50 years ago, The York School provides 730 JK to Grade 12 students a world-leading academic programme within a diverse, inclusive, and caring environment. The York School is a place where students thrive, faculty and staff inspire, and parents are supportive and engaged members of the community.One of the reasons families choose The York School is its teachers. In Season 2, Natasha will speak with teachers from the Junior, Middle, and Senior Schools about their call to teaching, their craft, what a day in the life of their classroom is really like, teaching during a pandemic, and their views on the future of education among other things.   You can find YORK Talks at www.yorkschool.com/YORKTalks or subscribe wherever you find your podcasts.Written and produced by Natasha EsteyAudio editing by Andrew Scott

“Sport is a great educator,” says Rick DeMarinis, Director of Athletics at The York School. Whether it be developing interpersonal skills and engaging in healthy competition to learning the value of being active and finding a physical outlet that brings you happiness and pleasure (whether it be walking, yoga, strength training, or team sports), there's something for everyone at York. These core values inform the school's rich athletics program. Learn about how York has pivoted during the pandemic and the lessons to be learned from professional coach and Olympic athlete, Shanice Marcelle. Also hear from student-athletes Mina Saban and Jaime Benayon-Abraham.You can learn more about athletics at York by visiting our website. To see the Gladiators in action, follow Rick @Gladiator_AD. You can find Shanice online at www.shanicemarcelle.com. Here is a link to Rick's 2017 blog post quoted in the episode introduction.Written and Produced by Natasha EsteyAudio Editing by Andrew Scott

Central to The York School’s approach to education is an appreciation for the importance of supporting the 'whole child'. What does this mean? Academic success is intrinsically tied to social and emotional wellness. Hear from Elissa Kline-Beber, Director of Student Wellness, about how The York School's robust homeroom and advisor programme gives students the opportunity to nurture meaningful relationships with teachers and peers and explicitly address social-emotional learning and character building as well as all the other student wellness initiatives and programmes happening at school.Learn more about wellness programmes and initiatives and the social-emotional learning curriculum in the Junior, Middle, and Senior School divisions by visiting our website. To see these wellness programmes and initiatives in action, search the hashtag #Yorklearns on Twitter or follow Elissa @elissamsw. You can learn more about Marc Brackett's work at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence here and the RULER approach here.Written and Produced by Natasha EsteySound Editing by Andrew Scott

Is the IB Diploma Programme worth it? It isn't easy, but with its focus on personal, professional and academic development and global recognition by universities, the IB Diploma Programme provides excellent preparation for life in the 21st century. Learn more about this comprehensive programme from David Hamilton, Senior School Principal, and respected science teacher and IB Diploma Coordinator, Marie Aragona. And don't just take their word for it. Also hear from Ruby Grinberg, a York student in the second year of the IBDP about the journey and the reward.You can learn more about the IB Diploma Programme by visiting The York School’s website or by checking out the International Baccalaureate Organization website. To see the IB Diploma Programme in action, search the hashtag #Yorklearns on Twitter.  Written and produced by Natasha EsteyAudio editing by Andrew Scott

The York School has a 100% university placement rate. Grade 12 students apply to an average of seven post-secondary institutions of which upwards of 40% are outside Canada. With the support of one of the country’s best University Counselling offices, York School graduates find their best-fit universities and are future-ready. The world is their oyster! In this episode, join host, Natasha Estey, in conversation with David Hanna, Director of University Counselling, and York alumni Elias Volonakis and Georgia Samuel, about how The York School really does prepare its graduates to “take on the world”!Check out David Hanna’s blog, Beyond The York School. The Beyond York app can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play Store. Follow David Hanna on Twitter. The Our Kids review of The York School can be found here. The organization Georgia has volunteered with for years is Dramaway and the choir Elias remains involved with is Viva Singers. And if you’re looking for an excellent math tutor, you can find Elias at the Math Guru! Written and produced by Natasha EsteyAudio editing by Andrew Scott

A school's parent community reflects the school's values and goals. York School parents promote a strong, cooperative and welcoming community and, through the York Parent Association (YPA), of which all parents are members, organize events and other engagements (in-person & virtual) that increase spirit, camaraderie, and connection. Host Natasha Estey speaks with parents Karen Schultz, Talei Kunkel, and Glenn Asano along with Michelle Golfman, Associate Director of Advancement, to learn more about how parents are partners at The York School. You can learn more about parent engagement at The York School by visiting the “Support Us” page at www.yorkschool.com. And you can see parent engagement in action by following The York School on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Written and produced by Natasha EsteyAudio editing by Andrew Scott

Winter camping, an urban history scavenger hunt, and painting on the shore of Georgian Bay. These sorts of experiences are part of The York School’s unique Integrated Canadian Experience (ICE) Programme, an innovative combined study of Canadian history, geography, civics, and literature undertaken by all Grade 9 students. In this episode, Sara Gardner, an architect of ICE, shares how students uncover the story of Canada and its inhabitants by combining field research with classroom learning and developing observational, inquiry and communication skills. Reese Feldberg, an ICE alum, shares her experience as a student. And Andrea Lossing, Trip and Camp Curriculum Coordinator, talks about the other amazing experiential learning opportunities at York.To see experiential learning in action, search the hashtag #Yorklearns on Twitter, follow @ICEGardner and follow @a_lossing. You can read more about the ICE Programme here, find Sara Gardner’s article about winter camping here, and watch a winter camping (2015) video here. And here's a link to the Grade 9 ICE Showcase from 2020. Links to different ICE documentaries can be found on The York School’s Vimeo page including B.C. 2019, Alberta 2019, Newfoundland 2018, and Killarney 2015. The 2018 International Service Trip to Global Pathways School in India offers another glimpse into experiential learning as does the 2017 Music Trip to Cuba.Written and produced by Natasha EsteyAudio editing by Andrew Scott

During the middle school years, students start embracing their individuality and become more independent. Listen to Helen Gin, Middle School Principal, and Glen Blair, Middle School Counsellor, discuss how the student experience during this vital period is guided by dedicated faculty and progressive programming that support each student’s development, so they acquire the confidence to meet the challenges of independent and collaborative learning in an international and technologically-rich context. Learn more about the challenging Middle Years Programme that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world.To see the MYP in action, search the hashtag #Yorklearns on Twitter and follow @MsHelenGin. Learn more about Marc Brackett’s work at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence by visiting www.ycei.org. And Julie Lythcott-Haims’ book, How to Raise an Adult, is worth a read.Written and produced by Natasha EsteyAudio editing by Andrew Scott

An awesome start to the learning journey, The York School's Primary Years Programme focuses on the whole child, nurturing their individual talents and critical thinking skills. Students learn through inquiry-based instruction in all subject areas including mathematics, visual arts, drama, music, physical education, French, science, and social studies. Join Natasha Estey in conversation with Valerie Turner, Principal of the Junior School, and Yochabel De Giorgio, PYP Coordinator, to learn more.To see the PYP in action, search the hashtag #Yorklearns on Twitter and follow The York School on Facebook and Instagram. Learn five ways you could support your child as a PYP parent here.    Written and produced by Natasha EsteyAudio editing by Andrew Scott

A school's culture encompasses the beliefs, assumptions, perceptions, attitudes, and written and unwritten rules that influence every aspect of the organization. Head of School, Struan Robertson, wants The York School to be a safe and happy place for children to learn and grow in an academically robust environment. That doesn’t just happen. A school’s culture of safety, happiness, and academic robustness needs to be reflected in its leadership, its focus on wellness, citizenship, kindness, and engagement, and what it does to find staff, students, and families that share the school's values and mission.  In this episode, host Natasha Estey speaks with Struan Robertson and Director of Admission & Advancement, Praveen Muruganandan, about building The York School culture and how everything we do from the admission process to hiring to strategic planning is in the service of positive culture-building.Follow the #yorklearns hashtag on Twitter. You can find The York School's 20/20 Vision Strategic Plan here.Written and produced by Natasha EsteyAudio Editing by Andrew Scott

YORK Talks is a new podcast for families wanting to learn more about The York School,  Toronto's leading co-ed independent school delivering the IB programme from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.In each episode, host Natasha Estey connects with expert educators, articulate students, and engaged parents to learn more about what makes The York School great!You can find YORK Talks at www.yorkschool.com/YORKTalks or subscribe wherever you find your podcasts.Written and produced by Natasha EsteyAudio editing by Andrew Scott